Vehicle direction signaling apparatus



Oct. 14, 1941. n. B. OKELLY VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1937' 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct, 14, 1941. 5, O'KELLY 2,258,796

VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNALING APPARATUS z I l RIGHT R/MARY CIRCUIT '(x z I E 81/ iifi?" g 107-, "z LEFT mu 2 o 2 E o J I I & .9 I sLoM REAR SIGNAL 1 "INVENTQR LEFT @3 Jar/ 17 063. OM33 0 B J8 mwem ATTORNEY' Patented Oct. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNALHN'G APPARATUS This invention relates to improvements in vehicle direction signaling apparatus, but more particularly to signaling to pedestrians the direction which a driver of an automobile intends to take. At this point it is desired to explain that the construction and functioning of the device is herein described in conjunction with an automobile, but it is to be understood that its principles are adaptable to any vehicle whether motor driven or not, and in the former class it will include trucks, air-craft of all kinds, and even boats.

It is an indisputable fact that many serious accidents are caused on the streets and highways primarily because of confusion in the mind of the pedestrian and all approaching motorists as to which way the approaching automobile is about to turn. Not infrequently a motorist will give a hand signal indicating to the pedestrian and motorist that he is about to turn one way when, actually, the motorist intends and does turn another Way. It is easy to see that under such a circumstance the pedestrian can step directly in the path of the approaching Vehicle.

The invention is also intended to fortify the assurance and security of the motorist. Having made up his mind as to whether he will turn right or left, he has only to operate the manual device before him in the corresponding manner, whereupon the right or left signal will be displayed to the public, both at the front and rear of the vehicle, making it absolutely certain as to which direction of turn is about to be negotiated. With this preamble in mind the objects of the invention are as follows:

First, to provide a signal for any type of vehicle, whether an automobile, truck, boat or airplane, whereby the driver can indicate the direction of an intended turn.

Second, to provide for the manual selection of the desired signal preparatory to making an intended turn, and to automatically maintain said signal in its direction-indicating condition until the driver completes the turn.

Third, to provide a signaling system wherein a manually operating setting device is so coordinated with an automatically and electrically responsive indicating device that said setting device stays in its operative condition only long enough to await the beginning of the operation of the indicating device, whereupon the setting device is automatically restored to its original position, thus saving electrical current and confusion as to forgetting or neglecting the manual operation.

Fourth, to provide a motor vehicle direction 15 semi-automatic action averting a possible acciindicating signal which is an improvement on the signal patented by D. B. OKelly, No. 1,670,548 of May 22, 1928.

Fifth, to provide a coordinated electrical unit 5.? with the manual control, possessing automatic action which, if the driver should for any reason whatsoever neglect or forget to operate the manual control switch, will cause its automatic switches to go into action just as soon as the right or left turn is begun, at such given degree which is predetermined when the device is installed on the vehicle in turn illuminating the directional arrows showing the exact path that the machine or vehicle is going to travel, said dent and general confusion for the driver, whether of an automobile, airplane, boat or other vehicle.

Sixth, to provide a signaling system possessing 0; both manual and automatic action, so coordisis.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front nated that each system will operate independently of the other, but works and operates conjunctively and in a synchronous harmony with each other, all of which will produce certain necessary action for the best safety methods on streets, highways, air and water travel.

Seventh, to provide in a signaling system a combination of electrical units housed in suitable casings which may be placed on vehicles as best suited to the manufacturer or individual owner or as might be designated by laws governing devices for safety emplacement on motive machines of any kind.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fractional perspective view of a motor vehicle, particularly illustrating the application of the signal switch-panel to the chasincorporation of a modified form of directional signaling switch.

Figure 9 is a partially sectional view of the axle-carried member of said switch.

Figure 10 is a diagram of the electrical wiring of the main form of indicating signal.

Reference is first made to Fig. 1, wherein enough of the chassis l of an automobile is disclosed to illustrate the application of theinvention. The steering column 2 is customarily fixed in place and is surmounted by the steering wheel 3 which is secured to the steering shaft 4, which, at its lower end, has worm gearing (not shown) for turning the steering link 5 according to the directions noted adjacent to the arrows 6, 1, and 154* at the front and rear.

A panel 5 of any suitable description is af--- fixed to the chassis I so as to .be situated witl in; the zone of operation of the link 5 approximately as shown. This panel carries the assemblage of switches and. other. mechanism. essentialto. the operation of the. signal. It is ,de sired .to. point out that the proportion of theseswitbhesjand mechanism are considerably exaggerated in Fig. lffor" the. purpose. of. makingthe illustration clear;- er.. In practicetheentire'. panel 8. and itsflcar n ried elementswill beiairly small, and in .order. to protect said. elements a cover pf. any suitable. description is intended to be applied.

The panelcarriesa pair .of exciter switches .9; It, hereinafter known as.right and left? relays, and apair of double action st'eering link operated. switches H, H2. The latter switches are operated by the link 5 byanyvsuitable connecting means,

one embodiment of said means comprising forked At the same time the au is a11 aa m1m s g j; 4

of the link jl leaving the latter idle. The same t nci l rew a DW P when the nk-.- r

wun t a s s e t m theve c g;

eier rre s din i h e. es r ti api he of these is of substantially the same shape. The lines upon which these casings are made are intended to be pleasing and to be in harmony with the general aspect to the front and rear of the automobile.

As regards the front signal casing 3 3 it is seen in Fig. 2 that this includes a bracket 36 by which the casing is adapted to be secured to the radiator grille .or tosorne otherconspicuous part of the automobile at the front. It hascutout places 31, 38 in the form of arrows which point to the right and left. These openings are covered with a suitable transparency. Other openings 39 and M3 respectiyely above and below the arrows, are coverled with transparencies that have the words Slow? and fStop printed on them. The various cut cuts will be partitioned off on the inside of the casingtl;and each compartment formed by the partitions will contain a separate lamp as s hown at the top of Fig. 10.

' shown atthe bottornpff'ig-10. The various.cas.,.

de ai s of t swit h anel a ten on i dire ted 5 th ma ua l pe a e e rin o swit h; ner l des Fis E and. switch comprises a casing I 8 whichis permenently n fix dl secur to th t e n c lumn. 2 .by

a clampf H9. The casing I8 is.in the shape of ;a

s m nt andv its r uat f nt 0.=is.s1ottec1rat l to m ker om for. the swin ing an armlz which. terminates atJits exposedendjna h ndle 23... The inner' endof the handle is pivoted at 24 L to a suitable kind of bracket. Leaf springs 25 .of. egualtension tendto keep, the arm 22. in the. centralized position shown (Fig. 5). Thesesprings, are attached to suitable, mounts, at 26 and they bear against the sides of the arm.

Said arm 22 has a doublecontactor 21. One or 6 the other of the contactors is intended to be moved; into the contact forks, 28;.29. .adl'aqentto ,the.right and left holding. magnets ,30,.3l,.. The-casing..l8,. is equipped withpilotlamps The lightfiiom these will show through suitable. openings .in the. cover 33 (Fig. l) of the casing,l8,.and-.indicate.. totheoperator, thatthe respective .circuitsare functionin properly...

Attention: is. nextidirected .to the. front. .and

mg. openingsmenllioned; are. covered with trans; parencies, show n ri ht? and left? arrows. The uppepopeningis overed withia yellowtranspgrency. havin fslow? printedpn it. and the 012-... enin gainthelower half .of .the casing having .a, red. transnarenciawith IStopj. rintedon aportion of. it..

Attentionismext .directedtothe double. action switchshown in.Fig...6.. This switch is .oneof an. identical pair...- and. it may. beconsidered as. being the. previously mentioned. switch! I Thisswitch; hasctwinrods 45,150.: The .rod 4911s. guidedzin. matching bearings 5| in the casingjz for.longi-. tudinal sliding...motion- The..rodl"5fi.=istsimilarly guided .in; matching. bearings. 53. on a casing 54:. fora longitudinal slidinglmotion... Theserods are pivoted at 55 to the forked link.l3:and aslthe linkis moved inthemannerdescribed above, both rods 4 9;. 5 0,-. wi1l.;be simultaneously .moved accordingly.

Theserods-respectively.- carry. contactors fib il v of -primaryandl secondaryswitcht elements. The latter are appropriatelyvcarried .byinsulating blocksfill; 59 The .contactor. 56 his: in normal engagementwith apairoi contacts fifia At thesar-ne time the contabtorbmsindisengagement from. a pair oficontactsafiip Springs 62; 53- actuatetherods. 49,3..50, .soas totend. to. keep. them. inthese 1 normal; positions; Itaisnonlyowhen .the link. l3 pulls ..upon .therods. -.49,-. 53. that theresistancebf theisprings is; overcome. andthe -.relationshipof. the .various ..contactors. and contacts.mention'ed-. isjchanged.

All of the structure just described in connectionrear signal.casingetdgiiilliligs. 2, 3.and.4) Each. ,WithQ;Fig,, s-nbd n t m m t l2 (Fig. .1). It is deemed unnecessary to duplicate the showing of the switch but as regards the switch I2 it will later become necessary to identify the equivalent contactors and contacts with the exponent letter a.

Attention is next directed to Fig. 7. This may be regarded as being a vertical section of the exciter switch 9 (Fig. 1). The internal structure of the exciter switch I is to be regarded as identical, but as in the instance of the switch II, it is later necessary to separately identify with the exponent letter a parts equivalent to some that are about to be described.

The base 64 carries a specially wound electromagnet 65. The nature of the special winding produces a maximum magnetizing effect with a low consumption of battery current, it being remarked at this point that the energization of the magnet 65 will endure for appreciable periods of time; the length of the period of energization will comprise the time between the instant that the operator manually initiates the direction signal and the instant that the switches in Fig. 6 are operated by turning of steering gear which in turn opens contact 56 and closes contact 51 which deenergizes magnets in Fig. 1 and Fig. and keeps direction arrow lighted until the intended turn is completed.

Reverting to Fig. 7, a bracket 66 upstanding from the base 04, pivotally carries the armature 61. The motion of the armature under tension of the spring 68 is limited by a stop 89 which projects through a hole I0. The armature carries a contactor II which is intended to engage a contact I2 when the armature is attracted by the magnet 65.

Reference is now made to Fig. 10. As many as possible of the previously mentioned parts are here marked so as to avoid duplication of description. The front signal includes the Right, Left, Slow and Stop lamps I3, I4, I5 and 65. The battery is designated 11. The steering link 5 turns counterclockwise to cause a right turn of the vehicle and clockwise to cause a left turn. Inasmuch as the corresponding pulls of the links are depended upon to cause right and left signal indications, it follows that the right relay and switch 9 and II must be located on the left side of the link. On the same principle, the relay I0 and switch 12 for producing left turning signal indications must be located on the right side of the link 5.

A wire I8, distinguished by heavy lines, connects the positive pole of the battery 11 with one of each of the contacts 50, 80a, of the switches I I, I2. Short branch wires I9, 19a, connect said contacts with the nearest contacts GI, Bla. The companions to the contacts 60, 600, are connected by wires 80, 80a, to one terminal of each of the electro-magnets 85, 65a. The other terminal of the electro-magnet 65 is connected to one of the contact forks 28 by a wire 8 I, the companion contact 4 being connected to one terminal of the magnet winding 30.

The other terminal of the electro-magnet 85a is connected to one of the contact forks 29 by a wire 82, the matching fork being connected to one terminal of the electro-magnet 3|. Said other terminals of the two electro-magnets 30, 3|, are joined by a wire 83 which is connected to the negative pole of the battery 1! by a wire 84. The previously mentioned pilot lamps 32 are connected in parallel across the wires 83, 84, as shown.

A wire 85 connects the contact 6| at the branch wire I9 with the armature 61, a similarly arranged wlre a connecting the corresponding contact 8Ia to the armature 61a. The companion contacts BI, GIa are respectively connected by pairs of wires 86, 81, 88, 89, first with the right front signal lamp I3 and the companion right rear signal lamp second, with the left front signal lamp I4 and with the companion left rear signal lamp 9|. Short branches 92, 93 connect the Wires 85, 93 to the contacts I2, 12:; of the relays 9, I0.

The rear signal includes Slow and Stop lamps 94, 95. A wire 96 connected across the wires 81, 89, has connection with one terminal of the lamp 94. A similarly situated wire 9! connected across the wires 86, 88, also has connection with one terminal of the lamp I5. In addition to their capability of being energized simultaneously with the energization of the Right and Left lamp sets I3, 90 and I4, 9I because of their being in circuit therewith, the front and rear Slow lamps I5, 94, are also capable of energization by the operation of the clutch pedal 98.

This pedal has any suitable kind of a switch 99 connected to it. A branch I00 connects the positive wire I8 to one terminal of the switch, its extension IOI joining the other terminal to the wire 91 which, as previously explained, connects to one side of the lamp I5. Both lamps I5, 94 are energized by the depression of the clutch pedal 98.

The previously mentioned stop light 95 is energized by the depression of the brake pedal I02 much on the order of common practice. This pedal operates any desired kind of a switch I03. A branch I04 connects the positive wire I8 with one terminal of this switch by way of the wire I 00, the other terminal of the switch I03 being connected by a wire I05 with one side of each of the lamps I8, 95. The tail light 48 .is supplied with current by way of a wire I06 which taps onto the wire I 00. The wire I06 connects to the tail lamp terminal on the regular car equipment light switch I07 by which the tail light can be snapped on and off.

Every one of the lamps mentioned, namely 13, I4, 15, I6, 90, M, 94, 95 and 48 has its second terminal (the latter not having been mentioned previously) connected to the common negative return wire I08 which has a branch I 09 that leads to the negative pole of the battery 1! or to the frame of the car in case of a ground return wired car system.

The operation will be readily understood. The description of the operation is largely read on Fig. 10. The invention embraces other structure (Figures 8 and 9) but it is desired to explain the operation of the main invention before proceeding with the latter. Reference is now made to Fig. 10.

Assume that the driver of the vehicle, regardless of whatits nature may be, intends to make a right turn. The act of turning is preceded by swinging the handle 23 to the right (arrow R, Fig. 10). As one of the contactors 21 bridges the contact fork 28 current flows as follows: from the positive pole of the battery 11 over wire I8, contacts 60 of the primary switch element, wire 80, magnet 65, wire 8I, contacts 28, magnet 30, and wires 83, 84, to the negative pole of the battery. The energization of the magnet 05 attracts the armature 61 and makes contact at I2. The energization of the magnet 30 holds the arm 22 over to the right.

current flow from the wires 86; 81, over .wires- 91;..- 10

96, and back to the common negative :return;

Uplto thislpoint it willibeuridrstoodthat when thetarm. 22 is-movedi to .thei right it causes the simultaneous energization '.of the set of i right?. lampsJS, 9.9;; the;s10w.. lamps 15,1 9 t,:causes'iits115 self. attraction by means .of the magnetfid; and:- maintains the energization of. "said sets of :lainps 1 by the maintenance ,of.'fenergization of the.;Ire.;-

layt9.

This condition persistsluntiltthe driver "begins 20..

making theright turn. As this turn is begun-thelinkt5 :swings to .the. right; The resulting..simul-.. taneous pull: on the. rods .49; 5BE';;o-:the=.primary.. and secondary switch elements firstly closes iwhat mightbe called. an auxiliarylarnp circuitrsecondly, opens .the relay.(9) and:magnet.-.(3fl3itcir; cuits.. Said auxiliary x-lampcircuit. merely: c'om.-. prises the. diversion 10f :some, of. the. already .fiOW- ing current :through the. contacts-iii andyltheir, contactor. 5! to. the: already energized: wires. .86; 8]. All thatJthe. secondary switch element. does is to close the lamp circuit 13, Silliatiaxserzond point; Thesame motiomoirthe linka-opensthe primary switch element. at ithecontactsgiifld. This 1 deenergizeslthe relay;magnet:65:and the-steering :35 post switch magnet-2.30.... The arm z,.22:fiiesbackto its centralized positions. The; deenergizationz. of thesmagnet, 36 represents a:saving.zofncurrent the. arm. 22:.remaining :in ithe. attracted: position.

only as. long 'assth'e driverpausesbefore' beginning; to

his turn.

The: deenergization oftthei. magnet iifiiibreaks the current flow -.to the. right% "and z:sicw." lamp 5 sets byway of the wires.85;;92',3but;.as just stated, there .is an auxiliary circuit: closure through-the? 25 secondary switch element;andzithis switch ele-rment keeps said lam-p. ;setsl;energized :as. long .as thedrivergtake's to maketheturn. A

When: the turn is. about: completed) and; the g5 vehicleis again; on its; straight away.- cmirsentne1r resulting. counter-swinging;ofsthe link t0 ;its1 centralizedsposition; opens the secondary switch elementjand vrestoreswthe primary switch: element: to its former closure. said-zopeningzca'uses'the:

deenergization,v of both: rightif and v?slo,w?i lamp 4 pedal;98;:and that the fstop" lamp set- 16; is, 70'

energized witheachldepressionaof the. 'brakepedal I 0.2,:

into-the slot I22;

Referencetisncwmade .to Figs. .8 and 9. In' lieu oilswitches mentionediabove. and where it: is desired tohavedifferent application of thesysterm, the front wheel axle I Hl'may carry aswitchl mechanism H which is capableof operation-by a Lil-shaped member H2 .that is secureditoithe: tie rod .I I3.: It is-this rod whichicauses the uniform-l turning of the. front wheels I Mawhenrthe link l tfifisswungbyithe turningof the. steering wheel.

Ail representative construction adapted: for switch. Hl'is shown in 9; Here the: casing l i 3 has 1 enlargements l l l which provide adequate. bearings for the sl-idable plungers I I8; I I9; These. plungers are. pressedoutwardlyby a spring E29 and thedirection of outward movement-is limitedby stops-i25-- on the plungers -whichengage-ad-i jacent parts ofthev enlargements Each 'plungerhas a slot l22 on one side.= This: slotlfaces an-.insulating mount I23 that forms: a-- closure for the adjacent'sideof 'the. enlarge-- merit; Said mount hasaspringcOntact l24Ise-I- cured toit-at the-terminal point the free. and rounded 'tip of saidcontact occupying an opening H56 in the mount in-readiness-totdrop The mount carries a contact-l insert l 27 from-"which" the contact 124 ismor- J mally spaced.

The contacts 62 3, i2! control-a circuit lZBL-ot any desired description, forexample, embracing It-will beunderstood that when-thalink H5- isswung forward (arrow-a, Fig. 8) to turn the wheels ti t into the position b to make-ale ft; turn; the depression oftheplungerl l8-will bring the slot I22 into position under the tip -ofthe contact V25, letting the latter drop-into-the-sldt an d cause an engagement with the contaet- I21. The resulting closure of the circuit l23 energizesthe lamp ltiband indicates the-direction of the" turn;

I claim:

1;.In a vehicle direction indicatorypairscf ax ially confrontingswitches; each switchtcf eachpair having a contact rod; a pair :offorked links: haying 'theforks loosely CODILCtQditOthG"I'eSpeC tive pairs of "rods, and-having; slotted; portions: in overlapping; relationship tojregister the slotsat gtheouter extremities of saidportions-to delineatea hole, and a. stud carried by; asteering gear-arm which is situated medially of the switch; pairs, said stud occupying"thetholerandsbeingadapted to. move idly in lone;sl,ot--in pushing against the. contiguous extremity oi the other slot when, actuating the respective switch pair:

2. In a vehicle direction indicatorinvol-vi-ng a;

pluralityof signal circuits,- pairs 'ofswi-tches for said circuits comprising pairs of casings spaced from, each other, the switches includingcontactrodslprojecting from thecasings and directedintc 1 U the space between the'casings, a steering mechae nismoperable linklsituated insaidispace and 'be-- ing movablewith respect to the, switches'a compensating forked link for each' switch. pair, .the, ends of the forks being-.pivoted-jtdthe respective contact rod-s, saidlinks includin lslottedgportions directed toward each other...and being, overlappedjtmcommonlyregister the slots, and aistild. pro: jecting from the-steering. link through thei com: mon slot serving to-both support thenslottedtportionsand to actuate a chosen, pair. of switches.-

1 Y DAVID B.-OKELLY. 

